Laguna 69 Trek – A Traveler’s Guide

Laguna 69 Trek: 2018 Updated Information – Laguna 69 is a breath-taking place located at 4500m (14,764 ft) above sea level. The hike up to Laguna 69 trek is one of the top treks you can do in Peru and is classified as medium to hard. Once you reach to the top, you will be rewarded with views of peaceful blue water surrounded by stoical snow-capped mountains.

How to Get There?

The closest city to Laguna 69 is Huaraz. From Lima, you can catch a bus operated by some of the well-established companies serving almost all major cities in Peru; Cruz del Sur, Civa, MovilTours, etc. It is a 9-hour trip which you can do overnight if you are short on time. This way, you can save some daylight time so that you can explore the city and walk around to get acclimatized to the altitude and avoid altitude sickness.

Once you are in Huaraz, you will find many travel companies offering tour and trek packages to visit the attractions in the Cordillera Blanca. To be fully confident that you choose the best possible option available to you, do yourself a favor and save yourself from spending a lot of time doing this research on your own. We’ve been there so we recommend FindLocalTrips.com, a search and comparison website for tours across all of South America.

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ENTERTAINMENT TIP: If looking for fun at night, or to watch sports during the day, or even a taste of home, visit the Wild Rover Hostels Chain for great food, sports and beer! Entrance to their bars is free even for non-guests

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What is it like?

Here is a sample itinerary of a one-day tour to Laguna 69:

1.       Your guide will pick you up around 5am to begin the 3-hour drive to the starting point of the trek. (Expect to return to Huaraz at around 7pm the same day after         finishing your trek).
2.       At about 7:30am, your group will stop for breakfast on the way. The restaurants are mostly family-run and you can purchase hamburgers, fruits, coffee, tea, etc.
3.       After finishing breakfast, you will get back on
          the road until making another stop at a viewing point to appreciate the Lagunas of Llanganuco.
4.       At approximately 9:30am, you will reach Cebollapampa, the starting point of the trek. Here you will also pay your entrance fee.
5.       The hike up to Laguna 69 shall take about 3 hours. You may walk at your own pace and take as many breaks as you want. In any case, the tour guides will keep        you in-check with the time and they will do their best to help you if you are struggling.
6.       By 12:30pm, most travelers arrive to Laguna 69 and have an hour to enjoy the view; relax by the lake, have a picnic and take pictures.
7.      The hike back down to Cebollapampa takes about 2 hours which means that at around 3:30pm you will get on your transportation for the 3-hour ride back to        Huaraz.

Along the way, you will see beautiful waterfalls cascading down the cliffs, wandering animals, creeks and have splendid views of nearby mountains. The hike is perfect for mountain and nature lovers. If you are traveling solo, this would be a great way to meet like minded people.

The trek starts somewhat flat, then the steepness gradually increases. However, the last quarter portion of the uphill trek is the hardest as it is the steepest. Once you reach the top of the trek, it becomes a flat surface again and you will be within 15 minutes from Laguna 69. Most people take their time to rest by the shore, while some crazy travelers plunge into the water.

What to prepare for the trek?

Pack the necessary items only. The extra weight will make you tired quicker. In essence, what you will need is:

• Sun protection: Bring some sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat/cap. 
• Money: Carry some Peruvian currency to pay for your entrance fee. (10 soles)
• Water: Bring at least 3L of water. Staying well hydrated helps fight against altitude sickness.
• Rain protection: Carry a plastic poncho just in case.
• Camera: As an old saying goes; an image is worth a thousand words.
• Food: Pack some nutritious snacks to eat during your hike and lunch that you can enjoy by the lake.
• Layer of clothes: Clothes that you can put on, take off and put back on easily. The morning and evening hours are cold because the sun is down. Meanwhile, when the sun shines it feels pretty warm.
• Comfortable shoes: Hiking or tennis shoes shall be fine. However, keep in mind that they can get muddy.

Some tips

Besides not plunging into the water, here are some more tips to have an enjoyable experience:

• Acclimatize: If you are arriving to Huaraz from lower elevations, it is recommended that you spend about 48 hours in Huaraz exploring and getting used to the altitude.
• Eat well: Make sure you stay well-nourished and hydrated. It is the only way to keep your hemoglobin at normal levels.
• Drink Coca Tea or eat Coca Leaves: It is what the locals use to prevent and reduce altitude sickness.

Other recommended Treks near Huaraz?

Treks:  Santa Cruz Trek (4 day trek), Cordillera Huayhuash (8-13 days), and Quilcayhuanca (4 day trek)

Day tours: Ruins of Chavín de Huantar, Puya Raymondi Plants and Pastoruri Glacier, Llanganuco lakes and Portchuelo View Point.